It is festival season in India. The festivals at this time of the year
start off with Dussehra - the festival of the goddess and its various
forms. It winds through a few smaller festivals like Karva Chauth and
reaches a crescendo with Diwali - the festival of lights, arguably the
biggest festival in India. The season signs off with Christmas and New
Year.
start off with Dussehra - the festival of the goddess and its various
forms. It winds through a few smaller festivals like Karva Chauth and
reaches a crescendo with Diwali - the festival of lights, arguably the
biggest festival in India. The season signs off with Christmas and New
Year.
But this year, Indian media has a special festival - a festival
that is off the calendar. The Barack Obama (BO) festival. And like all
festivals, we will be treated by our media here in near encyclopedic
formats. Presidents and residents of lesser nations do not get much
coverage as the President with the teleprompter does. Having supported him during his elections, it is a bit of an irony that his visit here comes at a time when the nation which elected him is not sure about the change they believed in. But, as it is a festival, we wont let it matter too much in our coverage.
that is off the calendar. The Barack Obama (BO) festival. And like all
festivals, we will be treated by our media here in near encyclopedic
formats. Presidents and residents of lesser nations do not get much
coverage as the President with the teleprompter does. Having supported him during his elections, it is a bit of an irony that his visit here comes at a time when the nation which elected him is not sure about the change they believed in. But, as it is a festival, we wont let it matter too much in our coverage.
The media in India is already falling over each other to tell us
everything about the man that is BO. The breathtaking coverage that
will end like an Olympics race with split second differences. And as
voracious readers/viewers as we are, you can bet that they know
more about BO and his visit than he can. Expect bumper offers at shops,
shopping festivals and BO quizzes as the season peaks. It may not reach
the manic proportions with BO tees or BO masks and BO caps, but it
could. Could we see cutouts of BO erected at crossroads and offered
milk? Perhaps.
everything about the man that is BO. The breathtaking coverage that
will end like an Olympics race with split second differences. And as
voracious readers/viewers as we are, you can bet that they know
more about BO and his visit than he can. Expect bumper offers at shops,
shopping festivals and BO quizzes as the season peaks. It may not reach
the manic proportions with BO tees or BO masks and BO caps, but it
could. Could we see cutouts of BO erected at crossroads and offered
milk? Perhaps.
As the day of his coming draws closer, TV Coverage
will peak and reveal everything they are allowed to cover and uncover.
Today I learnt that his personal chef will prepare a variety of dishes
for him. One newspaper has speculated that he could have what they call a Malai Tikka burger (if something like that exists). Over the next few
weeks, we will know the colour of his room furnishings, his
handkerchief, his blackberry and his dogs favourite food as well. But we
don't stop at that. We will know the cologne he wears, the colour of his
socks and also that the colour of his shoes is not exactly what we see.
We will know his menu each day, possibly before the President himself.
And after his visit, restaurants could offer yet another "Presidential
Platter" or his table at a "special" prize.
will peak and reveal everything they are allowed to cover and uncover.
Today I learnt that his personal chef will prepare a variety of dishes
for him. One newspaper has speculated that he could have what they call a Malai Tikka burger (if something like that exists). Over the next few
weeks, we will know the colour of his room furnishings, his
handkerchief, his blackberry and his dogs favourite food as well. But we
don't stop at that. We will know the cologne he wears, the colour of his
socks and also that the colour of his shoes is not exactly what we see.
We will know his menu each day, possibly before the President himself.
And after his visit, restaurants could offer yet another "Presidential
Platter" or his table at a "special" prize.
At every pitstop of his, we will hear the back story
of the man who is his driver and marvel at the good fortune of the
doorman who got to hold the door for that microsecond. In between there
will be rare exclusive interviews of the man who waited on him, the
person who got to iron his jacket or the tailor who was suddenly called
in to repair a stitch on the Nobel prize winner. It is this eye for
detail that makes Indian media so great for visitors.
of the man who is his driver and marvel at the good fortune of the
doorman who got to hold the door for that microsecond. In between there
will be rare exclusive interviews of the man who waited on him, the
person who got to iron his jacket or the tailor who was suddenly called
in to repair a stitch on the Nobel prize winner. It is this eye for
detail that makes Indian media so great for visitors.
Our media has convinced us that we scored a
diplomatic victory by not getting him to visit our neighbour. They have
begun well. Over his visit, a lot of non victories need to be gift
wrapped for us. If we are distracted enough, we might even forget the
irony that, to the man bearing the peace prize - we would have ended up signing up deals worth millions if not billions of dollars worth of weapons by the time his visit ends.
diplomatic victory by not getting him to visit our neighbour. They have
begun well. Over his visit, a lot of non victories need to be gift
wrapped for us. If we are distracted enough, we might even forget the
irony that, to the man bearing the peace prize - we would have ended up signing up deals worth millions if not billions of dollars worth of weapons by the time his visit ends.
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